Construction of legged articles



(No Model.)

E. M. HARMAN .& A. L. EATON.

CONSTRUCTION OF LEGG ED ARTICLES.

m mvrohs atented Jul 12,1892.-

I WITNESSES;

W/fl/d I A TTORIVEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK M. HARMAN ANDANDREW L. EATON, OF OTTUMWVA, IGWVA.

CONSTRUCTION -OF LEGGED ARTICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 478,857, dated July 12, 18 92.

7 Application filed September 16, 1891. Serial No. 405,884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK M. HARMAN and ANDREW L. EATON, ot' Ottumwa, in the countyot' Wapello and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Construction of Legged Articles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Our invention relates to improvements in the construction of legged articles, such as tables, stands, desks, and similar pieces of furniture; and the object of our invention is to provide a convenient, easily-operated, and efficient means of securing the legs to said articles temporarily for shipment.

To this end our invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a broken plan view, partly in section, of one corner of a table, showing our improved construction, the table-top being removed. Fig. 2 is a broken inside elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a broken side elevation of one of the table-legs, and Fig. 4 is a broken inside elevation of a leg.

The drawings show the legs adapted for attachment to a table; but it will be understood that they may be attached in a similar way to any other article. The legs 10 are adapted to be arranged at the corners of the table, and on two sides of each leg adjacent to the top are vertical mortises 11, which open fron the top and which are adapted to receive the end portions 12 of the side rails 13 of the table. The side rails on the inner sides and adjacent to the table are strengthened by cleats 14; but in case great strength is not required the cleats may be dispensed with. Arranged adjacent to the inner side of the post and connecting the two side rails 13 is a double'screw 15, having right-and-left screw portions 15*, which screw portions are adapte ed to enter holes 16, extending diagonally into the cleats and rails 13, and the screw has centrally thereon a nut 17 by means of which it may be turned. To provide for the necessary vertical movement of the screw when the side rails are adjusted, the inner corner of the table-leg is beveled ofi flat. as shown at 18, and the part immediately beneath this flattened portion is recessed, as shown at 19, the recess making room for a wrench when the nut and screw are turned; but this recess is not essential and may be omitted, if desired.

\Vh en thelegs are attached to the table,they are slipped vertically upon the end portions 12 of the side rails which enter the mortises 11 until the top of the leg strikes the under side of the table-top, and then by turning upon the nut 17 with a wrench the side rails 13 are drawn toward each other, thus causing the end portions 12 to bind in the mortises, and the legs are thus held securely in place.

It will be understood that while a doublethreaded screw is preferable a single-threaded screw may be employed by having it extend through one rail and into the opposite rail.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an article of furniture, the combina tion, with the rails spaced apart at their adjacent ends, of a diagonal bolt or screw connecting said ends, and a leg clamped between said rail ends beyond the bolt or screw by the action thereof, the bolt or screw serving to connect and brace the said ends of the rails when the leg is removed for shipment, substantially as described.

2. In an article of furniture, the combination, with rails spaced apart at their adjacent ends and the diagonal right-and-left screw connecting the rails in rear of. their spaced ends, of the leg clamped between the rail ends beyond the screw, the said screw serving toconnect and brace the rails when the leg is removed, substantially as described.

3. In an article of furniture, the combination, with rails spaced apart at their ends and provided on their inner faces with cleats 14: and diagonal apertures 16, of the diagonal right-and-left screw having a nut between its ends, entering thediagonal rail and cleat apertures, and the leg held between the rail ends beyond the screw, substantially as described.

FRANK M. HARMAN. ANDREW L. EATON.

Witnesses:

J. T. SMITH, W. T. SIssoN. 

